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With summer rapidly coming to an end, parents across the country are busy preparing to send their kids back to school. But unlike in years past, the annual return to the classroom is currently shrouded in uncertainty and doubt thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
With coronavirus infections on the rise amongst children, it seems that the resumption of normal school activities could be fraught with challenges throughout the fall. So much so that some cities and states have elected to start the school year by continuing to use distance learning techniques, while others are moving ahead with plans to get students physically back into their schools.
Unsurprisingly, this spurred plenty of discussions centered around whether or not it's actually safe for kids to be in close proximity to their classmates and teachers. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) still recommends social distancing and wearing a mask while out in public, both of which can be difficult in a classroom setting. Still, most everyone agrees that the educational process must get back underway just as it has in autumns past.
The question is, how do we do that safely for both the students and the educators?
Stock up on high-quality masksDr. Thomas Russo, a professor at the University of Buffalo who specializes in infectious diseases, told Business Insider that masks play a significant role in that process. "I think the key thing that needs to be on everyone's shopping list, whether it's online or in stores, is that your children have a good supply of high-quality masks," Russo said.
It isn't just about having a few masks to wear, though. As Dr. Russo is quick to point out, we need to pay close attention to the quality of those masks. He recommends buying ones that are made from multi-layer, high-density fabrics that have a high thread count.
"If you can see through it or you can blow through it, and you can feel air on the other side, it's probably a poor-quality mask and shouldn't be used," Russo said.
He went on to recommend avoiding the use of bandanas and scarves as replacements for a proper mask, indicating that they don't adequately prevent the spread of droplets that are potentially infected with the virus.
Make sure masks fit correctlyThe actual fit of a mask isn't something that gets talked about all that much, but Dr. Russo acknowledged how crucial a role it plays in their overall effectiveness. He stressed the importance of finding a mask that's appropriately sized for your child's face, providing coverage of both the mouth and nose at all times.
Additionally, masks should fit snugly but not in a confining or restrictive way. The right mask is something a child feels comfortable wearing for a prolonged period of time, which will likely be the case for most of their day at school.
You can't have too much hand sanitizerDr. Russo also suggests that parents stock up on antibacterial hand sanitizer, recommending that they buy both a large and a small bottle. The small bottle goes into a student's school bag to be used throughout the day, particularly after interacting with shared surfaces such as doorknobs or computer keyboards. As the supply of sanitizer dwindles in the smaller bottle, it can be replenished using the larger.
"There are naturally going to be some high touch surfaces," Russo said. "But as long as you clean up with hand sanitizer you should be ok."
It's recommended that parents make sure to practice with their children how to properly their hands with soap and water, and how to use hand sanitizer correctly. When purchasing hand sanitizer, review the FDA's advisory about which products to avoid that have been flagged for contamination with methanol or other harmful chemicals.
Children should also be told to never, under any circumstances, ingest hand sanitizer. The American Academy of Pediatrics even warns about having hand sanitizer anywhere within reach of children five years or younger.
Editor's note: During a fact check prior to this piece publishing, medical reviewer, Dr. Hana Akslerod, suggested the above advice about teaching children how to wash their hands and being cautious with hand sanitizer.
In order to make the return to the classroom as safe and seamless as possible, there are a few other things that parents might want to add to their back to school shopping list this year. Here are a few suggestions that will help make your life easier in the weeks ahead, while also allowing your children to remain safe and healthy at the same time.
Here are the best back-to-school supplies to stock up on: